EMBER
BFD’s wildfire proposal: EMBER, originally a proposal by BFD, creates a new Grizzly Peak Mitigation Area in the residential neighborhood on Grizzly Peak and east, where defensible space regulations regulations and enforcement will be stricter starting January 1, 2026, and makes the state-defined Zone 0 enforceable.
- How many combustible fences in Zone 0?
- What we know about the Grizzly Peak Mitigation Area
- The boundaries of zone 0
- Fences, preexisting and new
Zone 0 information
- Dr. Syphard and Prof. Gollner endorse Zone 0 with CalFire
- Professor Gollner of the Fire Research Lab explains why he supports strict Zone 0
- Does Zone 0 overlook important truths about flammability?
- 2025-05-30 CSAA recommends zone 0 compliance, mentions non-renewals
- Study: how much vegetation will be removed by EMBER on the Ridge?
- Personal experience: my costs of doing Zone 0
- Insurance consortium requires zone 0 compliance & home hardening for certification
- Intumescent paints: can they replace Zone 0 compliance?
- Why you should not have attached combustible fences in zone 0
- Dr. Syphard disavows use of her research results against Zone 0
- Why you should not use wood mulch in Zone 0, or anywhere
- 2025-04-26 Lack of wildfire science: the Longcore/ Ossola letter
- Zone 0/Zone 1 noncompliance and wood roofs were the two leading causes of home ignitions in the Paradise Fire
- The CA Dept of Insurance starts enforcing EMBER before it is passed
- The CA Dept of Insurance recommends strict application of Zone 0
EMBER history
Berkeley’s wildfire history
- The 2024 Summer Wildfires at Tilden Park
- 1980 Berkeley/Wildcat Fire: most recent wildfire in Zone 4
- The November 1961 Tilden Fire
- Berkeley's Great 1923 Fire was an ember fire
- On the trail of the 1923 Berkeley Fire
- The 1905 Strawberry Canyon Fire
- Fire History in the East Bay
Understanding wildfire science: videos
- Understanding wildfire science, by Jack Cohen, father of wildfire science
- Your home can survive a wildfire
- Ember attack! [MUST WATCH - this realistic simulation can be distressing]
- What are embers? [these real videos can be distressing]
- How Did This 100-Year-Old House Survive Maui Wildfires? Defensible space and metal roof
- Use Defensible Space to Protect Your Home
- IBHS Research Center Ember Storm Tests: comparing scenarios & materials
- Understanding Fire Behavior in the Wildland/Urban Interface, with Jack Cohen | NFPA
- Radiant Heat Versus Firebrands: embers are likely what will ignite your home
- If your home doesn’t ignite it can’t burn: basic home hardening | NFPA
- Preventing Home Ignition: Part 1 and Part 2 | NFPA [older videos]
- Reducing Wildfire Risk to Homes by Jack Cohen and Steve Quarles | Firesafe Marin
- Defensible Space– Controlling Ignition Potential in the Home Ignition Zone | California Fire Science Consortium
- Protecting Your Home From Wildfire | Forest Service
- Forensics: Examining Home Destruction by Wildfire in the Wildland Urban Interface
- Solving the Home Ignition Problem Webinar 2020: wildfire to structure fire
- Community Fire Destruction In Extreme Wildfires: A Home Ignition Problem w/ Dr. Jack Cohen | 1 hour 56 minutes
- Weathered: The REAL Story of the LA Fires | Full Documentary [56 minutes] | PBS Terra Chief Winnacker @ 20:58 & 48:01
Interesting reads
- On the Trail of the Los Angeles Fires - The New York Times
- Causes, spread and solutions for California’s wildfire crisis | Penn State University
- Preventing the next catastrophic fire in Berkeley [PDF] | Henry DeNero and Nancy Gillette
- The Lookout - Talking Wildfire—The site of a CA firefighting crew boss
- How Did Getty Villa Survive Pacific Palisades Fire While Neighbors Burned? - Newsweek
- How the Getty Villa saved itself from the Palisades fire - Los Angeles Times
- How the Getty saved itself from the Palisades fire | UK Daily Mail
- Getty Villa Survives Palisades Fire, Lessons for Homeowners - Business Insider
- Photos From LA Show How Houses Catch Fire, How to Reduce Fire Risk - Business Insider
- In a wildfire burning embers transported downwind are what cause most structures to burn - Wildfire Today*[Prof. Gollner is now a neighbor at UC Berkeley]*